Dame Maggie Smith has picked up a best-actress Emmy Award in the US for her portrayal of an English novelist who survives a terrorist bombing on a train.

Dame Maggie Smith has picked up a best-actress Emmy Award in the US for her portrayal of an English novelist who survives a terrorist bombing on a train.

The British star was named best lead actress in a TV mini series for her role in the HBO drama My House in Umbria at the ceremony in Los Angeles.

NBC's White House saga The West Wing won its fourth Emmy for best drama despite shrinking viewership, while CBS's Everybody Loves Raymond was honoured as best comedy.

James Gandolfini, who plays the hulking mobster on HBO's The Sopranos and Edie Falco, who portrays his long-suffering wife, swept the top drama acting awards.

Yesterday's ceremony was bittersweet, with homage paid to a number of performers and industry figures who died this year, including Bob Hope, John Ritter and Gregory Hines.

Tony Shalhoub, who plays an obsessive- compulsive detective on the USA cable network's Monk, beat broadcast network stars for best actor in a comedy.

Debra Messing, after three unsuccessful tries, won best comic actress for Will & Grace.

Although The Sopranos claimed four awards, compared with two for The West Wing, the mob drama again was denied the top award.

TV academy voters have yet to crown a cable series best drama.

"I wish for everyone a working experience like we have," Falco said. "We have inadvertently created the perfect working environment".

Messing was cock-a-hoop after finally winning the award. "Oh my God," she said an exuberant Messing. I never thought this was going to happen."

Tyne Daly, best known here for Cagney and Lacey, was honoured for her supporting role in the CBS drama series Judging Amy while Joe Pantoliano, who lost his head on The Sopranos, won best supporting actor in a drama series.

CBS's The Amazing Race won the first-ever Emmy in the reality competition category, beating the more popular series American Idol and Survivor.

The Sopranos won best writing in a drama series.

The West Wing received the Emmy for best directing for a drama series, while the award for best mini series went to the science fiction drama Taken, which was panned in Britain.

Cher - The Farewell Tour was named best variety, music or comedy special.

Bill Cosby received the second Bob Hope Humanitarian Award with a self-effacing speech in which he thanked his wife Camille for 40 years of unconditional love.

Veteran news anchor Walter Cronkite paid tribute to Hope, who died at the age of 100 this summer.

HBO won a leading 18 Emmys, followed by CBS with 16, NBC with 15 and ABC with nine. Fox and PBS earned seven each.

Emmy Winners

Drama Series: The West Wing, NBC.

Comedy Series: Everybody Loves Raymond, CBS.

Miniseries: Steven Spielberg Presents Taken, Sci Fi.

Variety, Music or Comedy Series: The Daily Show With Jon Stewart, Comedy Central.